Sam Memmolo
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Some actually
work, but do they provide the claimed results?
Placebo?? I’ve had shots to protect me against such maladies. Robert obvious thinks that I spend so much money on trucks, Hot Rods, and garage equipment that I can’t afford Webster’ s Collegiate Dictionary, so in his e-mail he includes the definition and the phonetic pronunciation. Whatta guy! My broadcast career has exposed me to most every product some inventor whipped up in his basement workshop or bathtub. Some actually work, but do they provide the claimed results? Most of us have seen the “fuel magnets” for
aligning the molecular structure, or the ABS brake conversion cylinders that
just bolt on to your master cylinder and magically you have anti-lock brakes
without the hassle of a computer, sensors and associated wiring. I actually installed a set of those accumulators on my 1997 Dodge 3500 4X4. I did this strictly as a test. The manufacturer promised better braking, with straighter stops in less distance. With the promise of an easy installation, no modification, and dramatic braking improvements, who could resist? What helped to spark my interest was that similar technology was used on some WW-II fighter aircraft. I believe the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk had some form of similar device to help stabilize the craft on landing with hard braking. This was not claimed or even mentioned by the vendor, but rather was something I had read about while doing some unrelated research years earlier. This setup consisted of two small cylinders that plumbed into the front and rear brake circuits at the master cylinder, and the installation was fairly uneventful. This system (despite the claims) amounted to a set of cylinders that appeared to be nothing more than some sort of accumulator. A quick pressure bleed of the entire system and a rear drum brake shoe adjustment and we were ready for initial testing. Several stops under a variety of road conditions and vehicle speeds revealed no noticeable stopping capabilities or other miraculous benefits. Had I given up some of my hard earned currency for this setup, I would have been very disappointed. I spoke with the vendor (who supplied these to me at no cost for evaluation) and he seemed surprised that I could not sing the units praises. Sometimes we run across things that look good, but have no actual benefit other than to boost our ego and deflate our wallets, and that’s okay if it makes us feel good. But these units were hidden in the engine bay, so I did not even get bragging rights with them. I didn’t have any genuine expectations, but in retrospect, I guess I had some hopes that these great looking, finely machined components would be more than a placebo. Again, the shots didn’t work! Switching gears to “Two Guys Garage” TV, this season has seen a dramatic increase in advertising inquiries from OEM and Aftermarket manufacturers of diesel products. In my last article, I mentioned that we were shooting a show with the majority of the time dedicated to a tour of the Cummins Small Engine plant. Dave Bowman, along with our director, Bryan DiCerb, joined the folks at Cummins and shot some great footage. The Cummins people did an excellent job of preparation which afforded Bryan and Dave to maximize their time, and deliver some great highlights of Cummins engineering, manufacturing, and testing techniques. For the Dodge / Cummins enthusiasts who would not otherwise have an opportunity to see “inside” the plant, this TV show should prove to be very exciting and informative? Airdates are July and repeat airdates are in September. Click on to www.SpeedTV.com for program times in your area. In addition to the Cummins show, Two Guys Garage has completed several other diesel performance and accessory shows including two tours of BD Diesel with Brian Roth guiding us through several aspects of engine and transmission performance upgrades. Superchips, Predator, Bully Dog, Ekstram Worldwide, Expandit Exhaust Systems, and others have been eager to showcase their products and services. This season should delight anyone who has diesel stains on his or her clothing! On the home front, I took delivery of my new BackYard Buddy automotive lift. It’s a 7000 pound capacity, free standing; four post drive-on lift that is exceptionally well made. I believe it’s the best in the industry, and it went together easily. With the help of my buddy Joe Anduze, (a real car guy), we unloaded and assembled it in just a few evenings. Now I can get back to the business of building Hot rods. Back Yard Buddy lifts are made of American Steel right here in the good old USA. They can build you a lift to pick up anything including your Dually! Hope you enjoy the TV shows. Happy Motoring! Sam
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